Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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Remarks as Prepared

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Department of Labor Salute to Veterans
Great Hall, Frances Perkins Building
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
November 13, 2002

Good morning. Thank you for that introduction, [Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training] Fred [Juarbe]. We have a wonderful program planned for you today.

Thank you, Bennett [Gamble] and Nicolee [Ambrose], for your patriotic medley. And Rear Admiral [Barry] Black [Chief of the Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy], thank you for your thoughtful invocation.

We are also privileged to have a very special guest with us this morning, the Honorable Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security. What a special treat it is to have a veteran with your distinguished record here with us today.

And I want to welcome Congressman Henry Brown from South Carolina…

Before I begin, I want to thank the 3,000 veterans, reservists, and National Guard members who serve the American workforce at the Department of Labor. You’ve dedicated your life to serving America, and we are grateful for all that you’ve done and will do for this Nation. I’m also very proud of the fact the Department has an active American Legion Post serving our veterans.

Throughout the world today, thousands of men and women in uniform are standing freedom’s watch. This past year has reminded us of the great cost of defending our way of life. We’ve seen the best of America in the courage of its soldiers, sailors and airmen. And we’ve seen it in the unity of a Nation resolved to defeat terrorism wherever it exists, whether in our own community or in distant lands.

America is really a story of liberation. In every generation, we’ve been called to confront the tyrannies of our time. And we’ve responded, never wavering in our duty. The cost of freedom is high. Just take a walk among the endless rows of stars and crosses at Arlington Cemetery. But the cost of doing nothing… letting tyranny rule the innocent and terrorize the world… is even greater.

Our men and women in uniform are on the frontlines of freedom. Citizens also play a part. As President George W. Bush has reminded us many times, we can serve our nation best by helping our neighbors and living out our freedoms.

The Department of Labor has an important role as well. And that is to make sure we honor America’s veterans by helping them find good, career-building jobs when they return home and transition out of military service. It is a mission shared by the entire Department and put into practice by many agencies, most importantly by VETS (Veteran’s Employment and Training Service).

For example:

• ESA is making sure reservists and National Guard members receive the family and medical leave benefits to which they are entitled.
• OFCCP is helping federal contractors live up to their promise to honor veterans’ preference.
• ODEP is encouraging employers—both private and public—to hire veterans with disabilities.
• ETA is improving services to veterans in our One-Stop systems and providing over $7 million in WIA grants for veteran job training.
• ETA is also working with the National Veterans Business Development Corporation to help veterans create small businesses.
• The Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives is building coalitions to support homeless veterans.
• I am pleased to serve as one of the four co-chairs of the President’s Interagency Task Force on Homelessness. DOL is a leader in helping these men and women regain their self-sufficiency and their self-respect.
• And, finally and most significantly, VETS is preparing America’s veterans to meet the challenges of the 21^st century workplace. They are transitioning service members into good jobs, creating the e-VETS Internet portal, and making sure veterans know their rights as well as their opportunities. VETS is leading the way in coordinating an integrated, inter-agency approach to improving the lives of America’s veterans.

I believe this Department must practice what we preach. If we are going to ask others to put veterans first, we should do the same in the federal government. That is why I strongly support Veterans’ Preference in federal hiring. We must make sure that our Nation’s veterans take the rightful places they have earned as leaders in the 21^st century workforce.

Veterans are the backbone of our country in times of war and our strength in times of tragedy. Now it’s our turn to be there for all of those who bravely served. I know I speak for the entire Department when I say this is not a responsibility, but an honor!

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It is now my great pleasure to introduce our very special guest. When President George W. Bush announced the creation of the Office of Homeland Security, and appointed its first director, he described Governor Tom Ridge as: “a distinguished American, a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend.”

We are grateful for all Tom Ridge has done for our country throughout his lifetime, but especially during this past year. He is responsible for developing and coordinating our comprehensive national strategy to protect America from future attacks. And we couldn’t have a better man in place.

We are so grateful to have Governor Ridge here with us today. Please join me in welcoming, Director of the Office of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge.

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